The New York Yankees faced a tough loss against the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday, falling 12-5 at Rogers Centre. A key moment in the game came during the seventh inning, when catcher J.C. Escarra was involved in a controversial play that shifted the momentum.
With the game tied and runners on first and second, pitcher Luke Weaver thought he had struck out pinch hitter Addison Barger. However, as Barger checked his swing, his bat made contact with Escarra’s glove. The Blue Jays challenged the call, and the review ruled it as catcher’s interference, loading the bases instead of recording a crucial out.
Escarra acknowledged the mistake, saying, "He wasn’t going to swing, but at the end of the day, I shouldn’t have been too close like that." He emphasized the need to avoid similar situations in the future. This incident marked Escarra’s third catcher’s interference of the season, tying him for the most in Major League Baseball.
Manager Aaron Boone expressed frustration over the play, highlighting the Yankees’ efforts to train catchers to avoid interference. He noted that they analyze each hitter to determine vulnerabilities and adjust accordingly. Boone pointed out that the call was particularly frustrating because it came on a check swing rather than a full swing, which usually results in clearer interference.
Weaver described the incident as "confusing," as he believed he had secured a key out, only to see the situation change dramatically. The Blue Jays capitalized on the opportunity, scoring five runs in the inning.
The Yankees are now looking to regroup as they continue their series against the Blue Jays. The team will need to focus on tightening their defense and ensuring that similar mistakes do not happen again, especially in critical moments of the game.